Impossible
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella Lyrics
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Impossible for a plain country bumpkin and a prince to join in marriage.
And four white mice will never be four white horses.
Such fol-de-rol and fiddle dee of course is
Impossible!
But the world is full of zanies and fools
Who don't believe in sensible rules
And because these daft and dewey eyed dopes
Keep building up impossible hopes impossible
Things are happening every day!
The song "Impossible" in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is a reflection of the singer's despair and hopelessness. Cinderella is stuck in a world where social status and wealth keep her from being with the prince whom she loves. The opening lines of the song emphasize this feeling of impossibility, as Cinderella laments that it is impossible for a plain yellow pumpkin to become a golden carriage and for a country bumpkin and a prince to join in marriage. She is essentially saying that her dreams of being with the prince are impossible given her current circumstances.
The following lines, however, present a contradictory view of the world. The song suggests that there are "zanies and fools" who don't believe in sensible rules and who continue to hope for impossible things to happen. This can be seen as an allusion to Cinderella herself, who despite her dire situation, continues to hope that she will be able to be with the prince. The song hints that it is through this kind of optimism and hope that impossible things can actually happen. This hopeful message is reinforced by the chorus, which repeats the word "impossible" with an increasingly positive emphasis as the song progresses.
Line by Line Meaning
Impossible for a plain yellow pumpkin to become a golden carriage.
It seems impossible for a dull, yellow pumpkin to turn into a luxurious, golden carriage.
Impossible for a plain country bumpkin and a prince to join in marriage.
It appears impossible for a simple, rural person to marry a prince and become royalty.
And four white mice will never be four white horses.
It's impossible for tiny, little mice to transform into majestic and strong horses.
Such fol-de-rol and fiddle dee of course is
Impossible!
The whole idea of the above scenarios is deemed impossible and appears to be nonsensical and absurd.
But the world is full of zanies and fools
Who don't believe in sensible rules
And won't believe what sensible people say
However, the world is full of crazy and foolish people who reject logical rules and do not trust sensible advice.
And because these daft and dewey eyed dopes
Keep building up impossible hopes impossible
Things are happening every day!
And yet, because these impractical dreamers continue believing in impossible things, miraculous things are happening every day.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wendy Bennett
This is still the best depiction of Cinderella, I watched this as a child growing up and still enjoy it up to today
Jane Julien
Yes it is
Dr. Judy A. Smith
Loved this when it was fresh and I was young…then it was lost for many years…still my fave. Is it the stage-play, Rogers & Hammerstein effect? I think so!
Lisa C.
Seeing this warms my heart and soul. Like many who have written I too loved seeing this each year when it came on tv. Leslie is to me the most beautiful Cinderella. I just love this cast, the songs and the innocence of a beautiful fairytale. It reminds me of my youth when things were so much more simple.
beautifulweather
I watched this nonstop as a kid, it's amazing how returning to the simple joys from your past can make the future new again.
CoTo808
Writing this after a year of Covid and after watching this and other R&H Cinderella clips. My heart is lightened.
MargaretAnn Howard
That song is in my head forever since 1965. I was 9!
Rachel B.
My sentiments exactly! What a gift we have in music ! 🎵🎶
K C
Same .... me and my friend were always fighting over who got to play cinderellas part when we would recreate it.
Tom Anderer
Amen! Well spoken.